At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a groundbreaking strategy game with unique engine technology.
- Company: Join a passionate team creating an innovative gaming experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, mentorship opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of gaming.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity with potential for rapid career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of game development and tackle complex challenges.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in game development, expert in C# and C++, and a strong technical background.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Status: Accepting applications — awaiting seed funding close before formal offers
Work arrangement: On-site, full-time
Salary: Competitive (based on experience)
Start date: Month 1–2 of seed funding
About the Role
We are building a large-scale persistent universe strategy game on proprietary engine technology. As Senior Programmer you will own the most technically demanding parts of the project — core simulation systems, high-performance architecture, and the foundational decisions that everything else is built on top of. This is a custom engine project — not Unity or Unreal. You will be working at a level of scale and complexity that is genuinely uncommon in the industry.
Responsibilities
- Own and architect core simulation and gameplay systems end-to-end
- Lead technical decisions on performance, scalability, and system design
- Implement fleet AI, combat mechanics, orbital physics, and resource economies
- Optimise aggressively for massive unit counts at real-time frame rates
- Maintain and extend the build pipeline: CI/CD, automated testing, deployment
- Write clean, documented, maintainable code
- Mentor and guide junior and general programmers on the team
Requirements
- 8+ years professional game or software development experience
- Expert-level C# and C++ — you should be able to move fluidly between both
- Deep understanding of performance-critical systems and high-scale architecture
- Experience shipping commercial titles in a studio environment
- Computer Science degree (BSc or equivalent)
- UK-based or willing to relocate
- Knowledge of concurrent, parallel, or distributed systems
- Data-oriented design and cache-friendly architecture
- Graphics programming background
- Open-source contributions at a systems level
What to Include in Your Application
- CV with detailed project history
- Code sample or repository link (C# or C++)
- Brief description of the most complex technical system you have designed or owned
- Why you want to work on something at this scale
This position is contingent on the close of our seed funding round. We are interviewing now to ensure a prompt start upon funding confirmation.
Senior Programmer in Basingstoke employer: Vector Studios
Join a pioneering team dedicated to creating a large-scale persistent universe strategy game, where your expertise as a Senior Programmer will be crucial in shaping the core simulation systems and high-performance architecture. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and mentorship, providing you with unique opportunities for professional growth while working on cutting-edge technology that stands apart from conventional engines like Unity or Unreal. Located in the UK, we offer a competitive salary and the chance to be part of an exciting project that promises to redefine the gaming landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programmer in Basingstoke
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Vector Studios or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Vector Studios.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Vector Studios.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Vector Studios that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programmer in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Vector Studios.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Vector Studios and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vector Studios
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Vector Studios uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
